Two Years Later…
Hinata looked up at the towering Main Gates of Konoha. She hadn't seen them in 26 months, and she couldn't deny a sense of homecoming at seeing them again.
"Excited to be back?" Jiraiya asked from next to her. He looked down at her with almost parental pride.
"You could say that," Hinata shrugged like it was no big deal. In truth, she wanted to sprint right into the village straight for her friends, family, or fiance, whoever she ran into first.
"Remember what you said, the day Naruto made me take you as my apprentice?" Jiraiya asked with a hint of nostalgia.
"I said I'd surpass you by my wedding day," Hinata recalled.
"I never actually believed you'd follow through. But it's nice to be proven wrong every now and then," Jiraiya grinned.
Hinata blushed, fingering the red coat she'd received from the Toad Summons when she'd finished her Sage Mode training. "Thanks, Jiraiya-sensei."
"Well, let's see how much things have changed since we were gone, shall we?" Jiraiya proposed.
Hinata nodded and walked forward to get in the line for incoming visitors. When she and Jiraiya got to the front, she recognized the two Chunin on duty. "Izumo and Kotetsu, right?" she asked.
"That's right, miss. Name?" Izumo asked with a friendly grin.
"Hyuuga Hinata, returning home after a long-term mission," Hinata replied. "And before we give him the chance for a full introduction, this is Jiraiya," she added.
"I'm available for autographs," her white-haired sensei said with a grin.
Kotetsu blinked. "Wait, aren't you Naruto-sama's fiance?"
Hinata grinned at the reminder she was set to marry the most amazing man in the world. "Yes, that's true."
"Man. Hope he makes it back in time for the wedding," the Chunin said to himself.
Jiraiya raised a brow. "Oh? Is Naruto away on a mission?"
"Last I heard Fourth-sama let him go back to the Order for an apprenticeship or something. Haven't seen him in almost 2 years," Izumo replied.
Hinata felt her heart drop. Naruto was away? Why hadn't he told her? She was working up into a state when she felt a presence appear behind her and two strong and yet so gentle hands covered her eyes. As their skin made contact, she felt the bone-deep familiar feeling of her Yin energy synching with the mystery man's Yang energy. And suddenly all was right with the world.
"Miss me, gorgeous?" whispered a husky voice in her ear about a half octave lower than she remembered, but it was still a voice she'd walk through fire for.
"Had me worried for a second there," she said nonchalantly.
"Well, I figured I'd be back before you and you wouldn't have to worry. Should have known you'd be so talented that you finished earlier than I anticipated," Naruto said, his smile audible in his tone. He lifted his hands from over her eyes and Hinata spun on her heel to see her fiance for the first time since the sex cult incident.
He'd gotten taller, and what little baby fat he'd had was now gone, leaving his face lean and sharp, looking more like his father than his mother now. He wore simple black robes and a high-collared cloak in his favorite shade of orange. His spiky blonde hair now reached to his ankles, just shy of dragging on the ground. His beautiful cerulean eyes were the same as always, full of life and laughter and wisdom, except for a small ring of gold around his pupil that was definitely new.
"Since when are you heterochromatic?" Hinata asked.
"I'll answer that, right after I do this," Naruto grinned. He put his hands on her hips and leaned in. Hinata went on tiptoe just to make their lips meet faster. The kiss was amazing, better than any they'd had before. They'd been apart so long that the once familiar act felt new and exciting. Hinata felt alive and began to feel her loins come awake as she pressed her body up against his masculine frame.
They pulled apart, looking at each other like they were alone in all the world, just the two of them. "I missed you so fucking much," Naruto admitted like it was something to be ashamed about.
"Well, in a couple weeks, we'll never be apart again," Hinata said with a satisfied grin.
Naruto picked up her left hand and kissed the engagement ring he'd put on her finger years ago. "I can hardly wait. You'll look so beautiful in your dress… and out of it, I'm sure." Naruto's grin turned a little lustful.
Hinata could hardly blame him. They were both teenagers in prime physical condition, they were both full of hormones and wouldn't be allowed to release them until their wedding night. Suddenly a meer 14 days seemed like an eternity.
"Anyway, I have a little gold in my eyes because I'm partially in Sage Mode right now. I invented a seal to automate gathering and integrating Natural Energy. I can go to full Sage Mode on command, but I can't actually shut it off. So I'm sort of permanently stuck with at least a little gold in my eyes," Naruto grinned as he explained his accomplishment.
"Are you serious? So you can just apply this seal and make anyone a Sage?" Jiraiya asked, popping their intimate buble and reminding the couple that there were other human beings to deal with.
"Not exactly. You have to already be a Sage for the seal to work, that's the catch. It works by making a mental construct that constantly works at mixing the energies together without turning to stone. If you don't have that knowledge already in your head, the construct has nothing to work with and just collapses. So it'd work on you, or my dad, or Hinata-chan here, but not on, say, Izumo and Kotetsu there," Naruto told the Sannin.
"Still, that's a potent tool, Naruto. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in Sage Mode at all hours," Jiraiya said, very clearly impressed.
"Well, you can find out if you want. Only takes a couple hours to write out the sealing matrix, I assume you're free after reporting to my dad?" Naruto checked.
"Me first!" Hinata exclaimed. "If you're going to be writing ink all over someone's body, you're starting with mine," she stated in no uncertain terms.
"It'd be my genuine pleasure, Hinata-chan. But first, the oh so necessary debrief. Want to walk there or flash there?" Naruto posed to Hinata and Jiraiya.
"Let's take the long way, you can tell me all about your apprenticeship, Master Naruto," Hinata grinned, looking down at his left index finger at the signet ring of a twelve-pointed star that only Order Masters were given.
"Sure thing!" Naruto grinned, apparently happy to spend more time with Hinata. "And you can tell me about all the exotic locations you've been to and the hearts you've broken."
Jiraiya chuckled, pretty sure he was just a blurry shape to the two as he walked behind the couple on the main road that led straight from the Main Gate to Hokage Tower. Behind them, Izumo and Kotetsu traded a look and then grinned as they marked down Uzumaki Naruto's return in the ledger.
There were halfway there, and in the middle of a hilarious anecdote of one of Jiraiya's lesbian contacts making moves on Hinata, when Naruto cleared his throat. "We're about to run into Sakura and Sasuke. This could get interesting."
"Naruto? Hinata?" called out Sakura's voice as they reached a four-way intersection.
"I'll be damned. You both got back on the same day? Or did Naruto track Hinata down and stay with her after leaving the Order?" Sasuke drawled as he walked up alongside his girlfriend. Both wore variations of their original Genin outfits, both eschewing their flak jackets apparently.
"I'm just lucky, I guess. I flashed to the Main Gate just as Hinata got back. Maybe the High Master let me go just when she did on purpose, sounds like something she'd do," Naruto said. He embraced both his old teammates like they were siblings, which they might as well have been. Sakura and Sasuke happily returned the three-way hug. Hinata grinned from the side, happy to see the reunion between Naruto and his best friends.
Naruto blinked and pulled back. "You're both Sages now? That was fast. I figured it would take you guys at least until your 20s to even be invited by your Summons to their sacred territories."
"Apparently, I impressed the Slugs the same way Sasuke-kun impressed the Snakes. We both got invited about six months ago. We've only just got back about a week ago," Sakura admitted.
"Congratulations! You, Sasuke, Hinata, anyone else who's joined the club I should know about?" Naruto asked.
"We actually haven't seen any of the guys since we got back. We were hoping to see them at lunch," Sasuke answered.
"Oh, right, it's Sunday! The weekly check-in! Man, today's shaping up to be a great day!" Naruto grinned. "But if you'll excuse us, Hinata-chan, Ero-sennin and I have to report to my dad. See ya at the BBQ!" Naruto rejoined Hinata and Jiraiya and resumed walking towards Hokage Tower as Sakura and Sasuke went their own way.
"They looked happy and healthy. I hope everyone else is the same," Hinata said, laying her head on Naruto's broad shoulder.
"Me too. Oh, by the way, Ero-sennin? Just before I left, Dan and Tsunade broke up. So you just might have a chance, assuming she's still single," Naruto spoke up.
Jiraiya perked up but then pretended he didn't care. "Eh, maybe I'll check in on her later."
They reached the Hokage Tower, and at every checkpoint Naruto was recognized and fawned over. Apparently the legend of the 'Golden Fox' was still strong despite his long absence. They were soon knocking on the door to the Hokage's Office. "Come in!" Minato called.
Naruto walked in and smiled at his dad, but his eyes were almost immediately drawn to the playpen set up in the corner. In it, a little boy with Uzumaki red hair but Namikaze spikiness was playing with a couple stuffed animals. Naruto got choked up. "Hey, Dad. How's Menma doing?"
"Good to see you again too, son. Oh, no big deal, not like you've been gone for two years or anything. No hug, not even a handshake, focus immediately on your baby brother," Minato pretended to gripe even as he got a smile of paternal pride. "He's perfectly healthy and hitting his milestones right on schedule. You can pick him up if you want."
Naruto looked down at Hinata, who rolled her eyes and nudged him. "Go, say hi to your little brother." Naruto walked to the playpen and gently picked Menma up. Familiar ocean blue eyes locked onto Naruto's face. "Bah!" the toddler said, reaching up to touch Naruto's cheek.
"Hey there, little man. I'm Naruto-niisan. I'm going to be your bestest friend growing up, I promise. And I swear to beat up the first guy, girl, or whatever to break your heart, promise," Naruto said with a blinding smile.
Menma's response was to yawn and lay his head on Naruto's shoulder. He was snoring within seconds.
"He likes you! He only sleeps on me or Kushina, no one else," Minato grinned, happy to see his two sons getting along.
Naruto took a stance next to Hinata, holding Menma like he was more precious than diamonds, which he was to the Jinchuuriki Sage. "Ready to debrief, Hokage-sama," Naruto said, switching to serious mode and becoming a shinobi instead of Minato's son.
Minato steepled his hands. "I assume you swore a vow of secrecy to protect the secrets of the Order. How much can you even tell me about your apprenticeship?"
"I can tell you almost nothing about the specifics. I can report that I've improved in almost every category of Jutsu, and that my spellcasting is fast enough to be used in combat. Quite simply, I'm as powerful as humanly possible for my age given all I know now," Naruto said straightforwardly.
Minato frowned. "Let me put it this way? How would you do in a fight with Hashirama-sama?"
"I could beat him as I am now even if he were in Sage Mode. If I entered Bijuu Mode, or full Sage Mode, let alone both… well, it would be very one-sided," Naruto replied without any hint of boasting or exaggerating.
"What do you mean, full Sage Mode?" Minato asked.
Naruto explained the seal he'd invented to automate the process of making Sage Chakra. Minato got excited at the idea of applying it to every Konoha-nin until Naruto explained that the recipient needed to already have mastered Sage Mode. Even then, Minato seemed quite pleased at the idea of the seal. "We could have our own Sage Corp, an elite unit of ninja with gold eyes and incredible power."
"I'm yours to command, Hokage-sama," Naruto bowed lightly, keeping a careful grip on Menma.
"I'll take your progress at your word, Naruto, but I'd still like to bring in Hashirama-sama for an assessment of your skill. If we can drag him away from his son and Mei-dono long enough to fight you," Minato said.
"Oh, he and Mei had a baby? What's his name?" Naruto asked eagerly.
"Senju Gajiru. And he has a Bloodline Selection. Makes sense if you think about it. His mother could mix Water and Fire to make Boil and Fire and Earth to make Lava. His father could mix Water and Earth to make Wood. So baby Gajiru can mix Fire, Water, and Earth."
"To make what?" Hinata asked in interest.
"Steel, apparently. He ate his way out of his metal crib one night. He can digest it and produces it when he's playing out of his body," Minato answered.
"Interesting. Not quite Magnet Release like the Third Kazekage could do. Could be a real powerhouse when he grows up," Jiraiya mused.
"Back to the matter at hand, Naruto, we'll get the assessment out of the way before your wedding. You and Hinata will be pleased to know that Kushina-chan and Hiashi have made all the arrangements. They were quite certain you'd make it back in time. All you two have to do is maybe get a fitting or two for your outfits and then show up on the wedding day. The honeymoon is up to you two, though. I can afford to let you both be on leave for a month. Then I need you back to rejoin the shinobi forces properly and start doing missions again. The world's on fire, as it always is, and you two are some of the best assets in our arsenal now," Minato laid out.
"I know the perfect spot," Naruto declared. "We'll spend a month by ourselves and then we'll come back. Might I suggest making a 4-man squad with us and Sakura and Sasuke? The four of us together would be able to go through most S-rank missions like they were an Academy exercise."
"Way ahead of you, son. I even thought up a name: the Yonsennin," Minato grinned.
"Four Sages… simple and to the point," Hinata nodded.
"Now, if my clock is right, your weekly lunch with your friends is about to start. Jiraiya can fill me in on the 2-year trip around the world. Naruto and Hinata, you're dismissed." Minato smiled warmly at his son and future daughter-in-law.
Naruto went to lay Menma down in his playpen and then gripped Hinata's hand before flashing to Yellow Street. Naruto and Hinata appeared right outside the restaurant, just as everyone was about to go in.
"Naruto! Hinata! Oh my gods, you're back!" Ino gushed, rushing forward to hug both of them.
"Told you," Sasuke said smugly to the rest of the group.
"Oh, come on! You can't blame us for thinking you were lying! What were the odds they'd both come back at the exact same time?" Kiba protested, petting an Akamaru who was now the size of a pony.
"It is good to see you safely returned, Hinata-sama. And Naruto-san, your absence was felt by a great many. Your return is certainly an occasion to celebrate," Neji stated with a grin.
As Naruto finished hugging Ino, he turned to two people he didn't recognize. "Who're these two guys?" he asked, not too suspicious given none of his friends seemed uncomfortable or wary around them.
"Did I really leave so fleeting an impression?" asked the man with hair almost as long as Naruto's and a very effeminate face.
Feeling the traces of Ice Chakra in the man's system is what clued Naruto in. "Haku? So you and Zabuza finally stopped holding out and agreed to join Konoha?"
"Hokage-sama offered to let us go to the new Kiri, but Zabuza-sama felt he'd burned too many bridges to return. He decided to stay, and so I decided to stay as well," Haku answered. "And this is one of my teammates, Sai. He was part of Root before it was dissolved after Danzo's trial and execution."
"Hello. I am Sai. Pleased to meet you," bowed the albino-pale teen wearing a midriff-revealing shirt. His whole bearing seemed robotic, mechanical, like he was following instructions from a book rather than actually engaging in natural human behavior.
Naruto tasted the emotions of everyone in the group. "Let me guess. Haku is Tenten's boyfriend and Sai is Ino's?"
"I am impressed. Why? Because that is the exact truth," said Shino, who was showing even less skin than when Naruto had last seen him.
"I play with weapons. Haku is still half-convinced he's just a weapon. We pair up perfectly," Tenten shrugged, sharing a warm smile with the Ice Release user.
"Troublesome… can we just go in and eat already?" Shikamaru groaned.
"Let's. I'm sure everyone is as eager as I am to hear what these two have been up to while they were away," Itachi said, pushing up his gratuitous glasses.
They walked in and got a very warm welcome from the hostess. When she spotted Naruto and Hinata, she gasped. "Naruto-sama, you've returned! I'll go tell the manager!" In short order, Naruto was awkwardly shaking hands with a gushing man who thanked him for gracing their 'humble business' with his presence and assuring him that they could order anything and it would be on the house today. They went to the table where Naruto had so many memories of shared meals with the Konoha 9 and those that had joined the party over the years. They all got seated and gave their drink orders to a waitress who clearly had a celebrity crush on the 'Golden Fox'.
"Sorry I'm creating such a fuss, guys," Naruto said with a blush.
"Wait until you're Fifth. People will start to worship the ground you walk on," Chouji said jokingly.
"Who says I'll become Hokage?" Naruto asked.
"You do. Or you did two years ago. Change your mind?" Karin asked, holding Kiba's hand.
"No, no, I'm just surprised you guys all think my dad will pick me when he retires. That's decades away, who knows who my competition will be by then?" Naruto pointed out.
"Your father could die in battle much closer to the present day, of course," Sai said somewhat insensitively.
"Sai-kun, remember that talk we had about pointing out uncomfortable facts?" Ino said, blushing at her boyfriend's faux pas.
"Ah, yes. Sorry, Naruto-san. I should not have said that," Sai said with little sign he was truly regretful, more just doing as he was told. He really had been programmed into an unfeeling drone, it seemed.
"No, no, that's true. No need to apologize. It's just, isn't Kakashi or Itachi a more likely candidate than me if Dad dies tomorrow? I'm only 15 after all," Naruto shrugged.
"Gaara's only 15 and he's Kazekage," Sakura said.
Naruto blinked. "Really? Wow. I know he's practically the strongest ninja they have and he's a legacy, but did they really appoint a teenager Kazekage?"
"Gaara's flames of youth were the hottest of all in Suna! Taking his father's place was all but a unanimous decision, we hear!" Lee said, almost as loud as Gai.
"How'd you hear that? Does he come to visit often or something?" Hinata asked, who was perfectly content to be ignored in favor of his fiance but she wanted to catch up with her friends as much as he did.
"Temari is Suna's ambassador to Konoha. She works closely with Shikamaru, so we hear a lot about Gaara and Kankuro through him," Chouji said.
"She's so got the hots for him," Ino added.
"Troublesome… she's way too high-maintenance for me," Shikamaru waved off.
"You just can't stand the fact she can beat you at Shogi," Haku chuckled.
"Enough about that though! What about you two? Hinata, what was it like touring the world, working with spies? Naruto, what was the High Temple like?" Ino asked excitedly, her gossip queen attitude shining through.
"Good food, good teachers, overall a good experience. I'm afraid I can't say more than that without breaking my vow of secrecy," Naruto said with a helpless shrug.
Hinata compensated for her fiance's lack of information by giving a thrilling tale about going to every country in the Elemental Nations and the characters that were Jiraiya's contacts, the plots and secrets and blackmail that she'd learned in her tutorial to being a spy master. The food arrived, their usual 3 Jumbo Deluxe Platters apparently having gone up to 5 since they had so many people, all of whom had ninja metabolisms. Naruto savored some pulled pork. Magical rice, even rice that tasted like his favorite ramen, got old after a while.
"So Naruto, seriously, if you can't tell us about the High Temple, can you at least tell us some of what you learned?" Kiba asked.
"I got a lot better at magic. I'm as physically powerful as humanly possible for my age, build, and sex. I learned things about Fuinjutsu I didn't even know were possible. I got a lot of practice with my Sharinnegan. I even worked on my Genjutsu," Naruto listed off.
"Give us a frame of reference. Could you take us all on?" Sasuke asked.
"We talking one after the other or all at once? Either way the answer's yes but I'd go about it differently depending on whether it was single or group combat," Naruto answered with a straight face.
"Most of us are Tokubetsu Jonin or Jonin by now, you know that right?" Chouji pointed out while tilting his head.
"I'm a sensor, remember? I can feel how strong you all are from a mile away, let alone sitting this close. Again, I could take you all on and win, even with the handicap of non-lethal force. I said I'd get a dozen times stronger training with the High Master, and I have. Closer to 20x what I was before I left when I go all out, actually," Naruto told his friends. "Don't believe me, I invite you all to the assessment with Hashirama-sama my dad's putting together."
"We should sell tickets for that, have it in the Arena," Sakura mused. "Let the whole village see you kick the First Hokage's ass."
"Feel free to suggest it to my dad next time you see him," Naruto shrugged. "By the way, you guys know where my family lives now? I'm sure they moved out of the apartment, and I'm technically homeless at the moment. I think I'll have to sleep on their couch until I get around to buying me and Hinata-chan a house."
"That won't be necessary. If you'll pardon me for spoiling the surprise, Hiashi-sama's wedding gift is a rather sizable house, all expenses paid. If you talk to him, I'm sure he'll allow you to live in it until the wedding, get it prepped and ready for when Hinata-sama joins you in living there," Neji spoke up.
Hinato and Naruto traded surprised looks before grinning like fools. "Thanks for telling us, Neji. We'll go check in with Hiashi-sama right after lunch."
They finished the meal, not having to pay as promised, and they all went their separate ways. Naruto and Hinata decided to walk to the Hyuuga Clan Estate instead of just flashing, enjoying the chance to just be alone together.
As they were walking, Naruto unexpectedly took a wrong turn. "Naruto? Did you forget the way?" Hinata asked.
"No, I just want to catch up with Konohamaru. He's nearby. Is that okay?" Naruto asked.
"Oh, sure! No problem," Hinata agreed. She knew Naruto had a soft spot for the Third's grandson, having almost a big brother relationship with the young Gennin.
As they reached an intersection, Naruto called out. "Long time no see, Konohamaru!"
Konohamaru, who'd been walking away with Udon and Moegi next to him, whipped around. His whole face lit up. "Naruto-niisan!" He rushed forward, wrapping Naruto in a hug. Naruto reached down with his free hand to ruffle the boy's hair. Konohamaru pulled back. "Wait, I've been working on this!" Konohamaru made the Ram seal and puffed in smoke. A buxom brunette appeared, the lingering smoke just barely covering her intimates. "Sexy Jutsu," she purred throatily.
Udon had a nosebleed to go with his usual runny nose, while Moegi looked thoroughly unimpressed. Naruto, for his part, didn't even blink. "Points for effort and execution, but I've seen hotter girls. I'm right next to one, in fact."
Konohamaru ended the Transformation and frowned. "I see. I need to use a higher level of pervy Ninjutsu on a master like yourself… I got it! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Konohamaru managed to make one perfect copy. "Sexy Jutsu: Twins!" In a puff of smoke, two naked Hinatas were giggling and winking and posing at Naruto.
Naruto cleared his throat and tried to ignore the fact he was blushing. "Closer, but still not enough to get me. Good idea, though."
The two Hinatas frowned until they seemed to have an idea. They turned and hugged each other, bounteous breasts pressed against each other. They were just leaning in to kiss when Naruto summoned his bo staff and bonked both on the head. The Shadow Clone dispelled and Konohamaru reverted while clutching his head.
"Incest is wrong, Konohamaru. Next time you try a girl-on-girl act, or a boy-on-boy act for that matter, make sure the two don't look related," Naruto scolded, trying to subtly wipe the small trickle of blood from his nose.
"Ah, of course, this is a Jutsu for distracting the opponent, but some things are still taboo. I didn't think that one through. Sorry, Naruto-niisan!" Konohamaru bowed.
Naruto made a Shadow Clone without even blinking. "To make up for not getting you a souvenir from my trip, I'll teach you and your friends another Jutsu. Follow the Clone to the party store, you'll be needing water balloons. Hop to it."
"Thanks, Naruto-niisan!" Konohamaru gushed before gathering his friend and following the Shadow Clone.
Naruto returned to Hinata's side. "Sorry about that. He takes the Sexy Jutsu very seriously, I didn't expect him to take it that far."
"So you wouldn't want to fantasize about being with me and my twin if I made a Shadow Clone on our honeymoon?" Hinata asked innocently.
Naruto gulped. "Think this one through very carefully, Hinata-chan. If we bring our powers into the bedroom, that's a long, winding, slope to total Jutsu-fueled depravity. It starts with Shadow Clones but it can only get worse from there. And don't forget I memorized the Bible Black that sex cult used. Sure you don't want to stick to plain vanilla like the civvies do?"
Hinata grinned with the lust of a lover mixed with the duty and love of a bride, and just a touch of the fear of a virgin. "I think I want to fulfill your deepest, darkest, most outlandish desires and that I want you to fulfill mine. I did spend my formative pubescent years with a super pervert, Naruto-kun. You and I can do whatever we want on our honeymoon and for the rest of our lives after that."
Naruto gulped. "I want to drag you into an alley and fuck right now, but I promised your father we'd wait until we're married. Let's think chaste thoughts on the way to the Mansion, shall we?"
Hinata very obviously glanced at the tent he was trying to will away before smiling like she was pure as fallen snow. "Sure thing, Naruto-kun."
They walked hand-in-hand to the entrance to the Hyuuga Clan Estate. The guard on the left gaped when he saw them but the one on the right just narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "State your name and purpose for being here."
"You must be new," Naruto chuckled.
"Watch it, kid," the Branch House guard growled.
"Shut the fuck up, you idiot! That's Naruto-sama!" the other guard managed to say once he gathered himself.
The ornery guard turned blue in the face. "O-oh."
Hinata tried not to laugh. "Could you please alert my father that my fiance and I wish to speak to him?"
"Right away, Hinata-sama!" the guard on the left agreed. He spoke into his short-range radio. He listened to the response and nodded. "Hiashi-sama summons you two to the small Dining Room for tea. And rest assured, my colleague will be disciplined most severely!"
"That won't be necessary. It was an honest mistake," Naruto countered.
"Uh… very well, Naruto-sama," the guard said while the one who'd talked down to Naruto looked like he couldn't believe his luck.
Hinata led Naruto through the Main House Mansion to the dining room where Naruto had first met Hiashi and Hanabi. Naruto's two in-laws were waiting for them when they entered. "Hinata-neesan! Naruto-niisan! You're back!" Hanabi cheered, looking like she'd rush to hug them if it weren't something a Clan Heiress wasn't supposed to do.
"Good to see you Hanabi-chan, Hiashi-sama," Naruto bowed.
"The feeling is mutual, Naruto-san," Hiashi said, a small but honest smile on his lips.
"I'm home," Hinata said simply.
"Welcome back, Hinata. You were missed," Hiashi said in reply, formal and distant. The man just didn't deal with emotion well.
They sat and had tea served before talking about Hinata's trip, Naruto stonewalling Hiashi and Hanabi as he had everyone else. After their journeys were summarized, Naruto cleared his throat. "With your permission, Hiashi-sama, I'd like to live in the house you purchased for us until the wedding. I can decorate it and arrange it how Hinata-chan and I would both like before the wedding and honeymoon."
"Of course, I see no problem with that," Hiashi said. "Though it goes without saying that Hinata is not to cross the threshold until she has a wedding band on her finger."
"Of course," Naruto agreed.
"And I'll be posting a guard outside Hinata's door to ensure no midnight visits," Hiashi added.
"Father, we can last two weeks without attacking each other like animals," Hinata huffed.
"Believe it or not, I remember what it was like to be young and in love. No, you can't. Not without supervision, at least," Hiashi said with a straight face.
Hanabi was blushing like a ripe tomato.
"Anyway, here's the key and address," Hiashi said, reaching into his pocket and handing over the key while reciting the location of the house. "Now, Naruto-san, you may now leave while Hinata catches up with us."
Naruto nodded, bowed, and blew Hinata a kiss before leaving.